A convenient synthesis of a series of pyrimidine, 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one, pyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazoline, pyrido[1,2-a]quinazoline, and chromeno[3',4':4,5]pyrido[1,2-a]quinazoline derivatives, via the reactions of versatile and readily accessible methyl 2-(2-cyanoacetamido)benzoate (1) with the appropriate reagents, is described here.